Thread: OR: Willamina may target illegal immigrants

Willamina may target illegal immigrants

Published: March 25, 2008

By PAUL DAQUILANTE
Of the News-Register

WILLAMINA - At a special council meeting called for 7 p.m. Thursday at city hall, Willamina will consider declaring itself an "illegal alien free zone," serving as a warning to those without legal papers that they aren't welcome.

Councilor Paul Delaney broached the idea at the council's March 13 meeting. The council voted 4-2 to convene a special meeting for that purpose, with the majority consisting of Delaney, Vernon Mosser, Daron Pond and Lewis Younger, the minority of Pat Howell and Kevin Nortness.

Delaney doesn't hold out much hope of success, despite the show of support for a special session,

"I don't think it would ever pass, but I want to open the discussion," he said. "I'm not on the council to be liked. I'm there to look out for what's best for the safety of the citizens of my community."

Willamina contracts with the Yamhill County Sheriff's Office for law enforcement services. Delaney said he thinks deputies should have the authority to check anyone they come into contact on patrol to see if they are in the United States legally.

"If they're illegal, they could be bringing drugs over the border," Delaney said, "and I have kids.

"They could be rapists. They could be child molesters. I don't want them living in my town.

"We are a country of moral values. People who are living here illegally and don't have moral values, I want them checked out."

But Sheriff's Capt. Ken Summers said his department isn't interested in such authorization.

"Even if we could ask, we wouldn't," he said. "We would not condone that.

"Asking that question would not be applicable to what we're doing. It would not be relevant to doing our job."

The council also plans to discuss two other proposed ordinances, one on dangerous buildings and one on drug paraphernalia. For more information, call the city at 503-876-2242.

http://www.newsregister.com/news/story. ... _no=232971

"illegal alien free zone," would be heaven.

I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies. (William Tyler Page, The American's Creed)